King appointed as new WPSD board member

February 14, 2014

Come March 1, West Point local Shay King will be an official member of the West Point School District’s Board of Trustees.

West Point Ward 5 Selectman Gary Dedeaux made the motion to appoint King as a school board member Tuesday during the Board of Selectmen’s regularly scheduled meeting. However, Dedeaux’s motion followed a motion by Ward 1 Selectman Linda Hannah, who said she would like to reappoint current WPSD Board Member Diane Jack. Hannah’s motion, unlike Dedeaux’s, did not receive a second.

Ward 2 Selectman William Binder as well as Ward 4 Selectman Keith McBrayer recused themselves from the vote due to potential conflicts of interest.

Jack was first appointed to the board in 2010, and has served the duration of her 4-year term. Jack will continue to serve on the board until March 1.

“In talking with a lot of constituents, business people, close friends and citizens of West Point, the majority of the people I spoke with — that was their pick of the two,” Dedeaux said in a later interview. “The fact that I didn’t know either one of them personally, that’s obviously what I wanted to do — talk to the people that I trust ... and know they would be fair about it. ... I try to make the best decision for the city of West Point.”

Dedeaux said he wanted to ensure that the decision to vote for King was not influenced by “special interest groups” nor individuals that had a personal interest in seeing King appointed to the school board.

Dedeaux as well as Clark also added that his decision to initiate the motion for King was “no reflection of” Jack’s job performance.